< <  

Saturday, December 7, 2024

  > >

St. Ambrose


Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-6
Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5-8

View Readings
Similar Reflections

voice recognition

“From behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” —Isaiah 30:21

The Lord Jesus says that an abundance of people will ultimately respond to the Gospel message, but laborers are needed to spread it (Mt 9:37-38). Explaining the meaning of the Word of God is a much-needed ministry. In the book of Nehemiah, numerous Levites explained the meaning of God’s Word to the people (Neh 8:7ff). St. Ambrose, whose feast we celebrate today, did this for St. Augustine. This booklet, One Bread, One Body, aims to make the Word of God come alive for you. Undoubtedly the Lord is calling you to make His Word come alive for someone else.

Will you be a worker for the harvest? (Mt 9:37) To work for the Lord, you must hear and recognize His voice (Jn 10:4, 27). Many sheep are without a shepherd (Mt 9:36). The internet or social media are their shepherds, but those who create social media posts might well be pasturing themselves (see Ez 34:2ff), caring more about making money on “click bait” than about the welfare of those who do the clicking. How will these sheep learn to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd rather than the voices of those who pasture themselves?

Jesus says: “Do you love Me? Then feed My sheep” (see Jn 21:15-17). God speaks to you so you can speak His words to the sheep. Be still and know that He is God (see Ps 46:11). Hear His voice and speak His words to others. Teach others to recognize Jesus’ voice.

Prayer:  Father, “here I am...send me!” (Is 6:8)

Promise:  “He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground.” —Is 30:23

Praise:  St. Ambrose, referring to Scripture, wrote: “He who is full, refreshes others.”

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.